Speaking Green 101
There is a lot of lingo and big words used to explain global warming and the environment. We've created an 'ecopedia' to help you to become a full on Eco Warrior.
Air Pollution:
Substances in the air that interfere with human health or produce other harmful environmental effects.
Biodegradable:
Substances which, when left alone, break down and are absorbed into the ecosystem.
Carbon Emission:
Greenhouse gases are gases in an atmosphere that absorb and emit radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The main greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.
Carbon Footprint:
A measure of the amount of carbon you use and your impact on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide.
Climate change:
A change in temperature and weather patterns due to human activity like burning fossil fuels.
Compact Fluorescent Lamp:
A compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), also known as a compact fluorescent light bulb is a type of fluorescent lamp designed to replace an incandescent lamp. Compared to incandescent lamps of the same luminous flux, CFLs use less energy and have a longer rated life.
Composting:
A process whereby organic wastes, including food and paper, decompose naturally, resulting in a produce rich in minerals and ideal for gardening and farming as a soil conditioner, mulch, resurfacing material or landfill cover.
Fossil Fuels:
Fossil fuels are the nation’s principal source of electricity. The popularity of these fuels is largely due to their low costs. Fossil fuels come in three major forms—coal, oil and natural gas. Because fossil fuels are a finite resource and cannot be replenished once they are extracted and burned, they are not considered renewable.
Global Warming:
Global warming is the observed and projected increases in the average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans.
Greenhouse effect:
The process that raises the temperature of air in the lower atmosphere due to heat trapped by greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons and ozone.
Product Life Cycle:
The complete life of a product, from early planning through sales build-up, maximum sales, declining sales, and withdrawal of the product.